Abstract
Mining wastes often contain high concentrations of toxic elements, whose mobility and dispersion may pose an environmental hazard for soils, water, ecosystems and people. This article describes the partial application of a methodology designed to evaluate the pollution potential of abandoned mining wastes, using two indices for potential pollution evaluation: an index of contamination (IC) and a hazard average quotient (CPP). Composite samples, consisting of at least 30 subsamples, were taken at three sulfidic tailings impoundments in the mining area of Mazarron (SE Spain). Mineralogical, physical, and chemical characteristics were analyzed: color, particle size, powder XRD analysis, pH, total content of toxic elements, and concentrations in leachates by the standard procedure EN-12457-2. Tailings were extremely acid (pH 2.30–2.52). Some ranges of total content (in mg/kg) were: As (381–565), Pb (2602–4487), Sb (139–170), and Zn (3254–5652). The concentration measured in the EN-12457 leachates (µg/L) was as high as 367,000 for Zn, 2030 for Cu, and 974 for Cd. The IC and CPP values were among the most high of the tailings inventoried in Spain. The combination of the indices provided a good estimation of the potential toxicity of these wastes, and it can be useful to rank abandoned mining waste facilities.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.